Reciprocating fluid motor



Sept. 27, 1966 H. w. STUMP REGIPROCATING FLUID MOTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 51, 1964 INVENTOR.

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ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,274,899 RECIPROCATING FLUID MOTOR Howard W. Stump, 3339 W. State Ave., Phoenix, Ariz. 85021 Filed Dec. 31, 1964, Ser. No. 422,777 6 Claims. (Cl. 91-265) My invention relates to an engine, and more particularly to an engine which translates fluid pressure into reciprocating motion.

It is an object of my invention to provide an engine which has relatively simple distribution valving means.

It is another object of my invention to provide an engine-having positive action exhaust valving means.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art in the course oflthe following specification and claims when taken with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an isometric illustrating an engine in accordance with my invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged partial elevation, in section, taken along 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional elevation taken along 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

- FIGURE 4 is a partial section taken along .4-4 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 5 is a partial sectional view illustrating a portion of FIGURE 2 with certain moving parts removed.

In general, my engine comprises an apparatus for translating fluid pressure into reciprocating motion. .In my engine, a pressure box is divided into two separate pressure chambers by a flexible diaphragm. The flexible diaphragm may be of rubber or any other flexible, substantially fluid-impervious material. Each separate pressure chamber has sealable outlet means. The outlet means in. the separate pressure chambers is designed so that when in contact with the flexible diaphragm,.the outlet means is sealed. A manifold connects a single source of fluid pressure with each of the separate pressure chambers.

Each outlet means of each separate pressure chamber communicates with an exhaust valve means and a fluid port in a closed operating cylinder. Communication is established and maintained by a pressure manifold connecting one pressure chamber with one exhaust valve means and one fluid port in the operating cylinder and another pressure manifold connecting the other pressure chamber outlet means with the other exhaust valve means and the other fluid port in the closed operating cylinder.

A fluid-actuated piston is disposed within the cylinder. One fluid port in the cylinder is located forward of the piston and the other fluid port is located rearward of the piston. The exhaust valve means is designed to operate so that when the piston is'in' its rearmost position and is starting forward, fluid enters one pressure chamber, passes through the outlet means of said chamber and into its respective pressure manifold. The exhaust valve means on said pressure manifold is in a closed position and the fluid enters the rearmost fluid port, thereby driving the piston forward. Eluid in the forward portion of the cylinder is forced out the forward fluid port, into the other pressure manifold, and out the other open exhaust valve. Both valve means, when open, communicatewith an exhaust vent. Exhaust fluid, therefore, is driven out the vent by the fluid on the pressure side of the piston. p

i As the, piston approaches its forwardmost position in the cylinder, the valve means are actuated whereby the formerly closed valve is opened and the formerly open valve is closed. .The pressure differential in the engine partially 3,274,899 Patented Sept. 27, 1966 is thus reversed, and the diaphragm is forced to the other side of the pressure box, thereby sealing the other outlet means. Fluid under pressure enters the forward fluid port in the cylinder and drives the piston rearward. Exhaust fluid leaves the cylinder via the rear fluid port and the open exhaust valve means. When the piston approaches its rearmost position, the exhaust valve means is actuated and the open valve is closed, and the closed valve is opened. Thus, the exhaust valve means effectively controls the cycling of the reciprocating engine. Any suitable power take-off means may be connected to the reciprocating piston.

In the embodiment illustrated by the drawings, my reciprocating engine-may be thought of as comprising four major portions, 'a pressure chamber portion 10, an exhaust valve portion 11, a piston portion 12, and a power take-off portion 14. As is apparent from the drawings, all four of these portions cooperate to produce the desired reciprocating power.

The pressure chamber portion 10, as shown in the accompanying drawings, comprises two suitably hollowed blocks 15 and 16 joined together as by bolts or the like and havinga diaphragm 18' of a flexible, fluid-impervious material sealably mounted between them, thereby to provide a pair of separate pressure chambers 19. Usual machining techniques are employed toprovide passageways for fluid. 'A fluid inputpassageway 20 acts as a manifold to connect a fluid input source 22 with the pressure chamber in each hollowed block. Apertures remaining from drilling or similar operations are suitably sealed by cap screws 23 or the like. Outlet means 24 is provided for each pressure chamber. The outlet means is scalable by contact 'with the flexible diaphragm 18. The pressure chamber portion" 10 is sealably joined to the exhaust valve portion 11. Fluid-seals are accomplished as bya pair of concentric O-rings.

The exhaust valve portion "11 comprises a forward and a 'rea'rwardsection and has a substantially axial bore therein. Valve Wells 25 are drilled or otherwise provided in the exhaust valve portion,preferably on opposite sides of and communicating with the substantially axial bore. Each of-the valve wells 25 has two diameters, a major and a minor diameter. The major diameter extends'to the exterior of the exhaust valve portion. The minor diameter part 'of the exhaust valve well 25 is of substantially 'smaller diameter than the major diameter portion of the well. The wall' of the minor diameter portion has opposing longitudinal slots 26 therein. A gasket or Washer 27, of a suitable sealing material, is seated in the welland on the shoulder formed by the junctureof major and minor diameter portions thereof.

The washer 27 is maintained in its position by a spring 28 or other fluid-permeable means and the means is secured as by acap screw 30. A ball 31 is positioned in each valve well on the bore side of the washer. The ball is of a diameter which is approximately that-of the minor'di'ameter well portion. The Washer has an inner diameter less than that of the ball. Camming means 32, having a central bore, is positioned in the bore of the exhaust valve portion 11. The camming means 32 is positioned such that when it is in a rearmost position, the rearmost ball is raised by the cam 34 and forced against the Washer 27, thus sealing the rearmost exhaust valve. When the camming means 32 is in :its forwardmost position, the forward ball is forced against its 5 washer to seal the forward exhaust valve. The slots 26 An actuating rod 35 extends through the central bore of the camming means 32. At its rearmost portion, the actuating rod 35 has a foot 36 which contacts a rear rod-stopping means and engages a spring within the rearward portion of the camming means. The rod also has a collar 38 adapted to engage a spring within the forward portion of said camming means.

The operating rod 35 engages a piston whose head 39 is located in an operating cylinder 40 forward of said exhaust valve portion 11. The operating rod has a head 42 positioned inside said piston head 39. Shoulders 43 at the rearward internal portion of said piston head engage the head 42 of said operating rod when said piston head 39 moves in a forward direction.

The operating cylinder portion 12 is sealably joined to the exhaust valve portion 11, sealing (being accomplished as by O-rings or the like. A packer 44 around the operating rod 35 prevents fluid or gas leakage between the operating cylinder 40 and the bore in the exhaust valve portion 11. In the embodiment shown, a fluid port 46 communicating with the rearmost exhaust valve also communicates with the rear portion of the operating cylinder and the forward exhaust valve communicates via a fluid port 47 with the forward portion of the operating cylinder. Power take-off means 48 is threadedly engaged with the piston head 39 and forms a substantially integral part thereof. The threaded portion of the power take-off means 48 has a centrally disposed partial bore in which the head 42 of the operating rod 35 functions. Suitable pack-ing or sealing means is employed to prevent fluid leakage around the power take-off means.

In operation, fluid pressure is applied at the fluid input line 22. Fluid enters the pressure chamber 19 which appears on the left in the embodiment shown and passes through the pressure manifold means 50 to the rear fluid port 46 in the operating cylinder. The camming means 32 is in its rearmost position, and supports the rearward ball sealably against its washer. Thus, fluid cannot pass from the pressure side of the piston to the exhaust vent 51 and is fully utilized to drive the piston. Fluid in the forward portion of the operating cylinder passes out through the forward fluid port 47 and through pressure manifold means 52. Fluid pressure is suflicient to force the forward ball away from its washer. Fluid passes around the ball, into the central bore of the exhaust valve portion, and out the exhaust vent 51. In the preferred embodiment, a pair of spring-loaded balls 54 are applied to the camming means 32 intermediate of the forward and rear ball valves. Thus, when the camming means 32 is in its rearmost position, it is held in that position by the spring-loaded balls until a substantial forward force is applied to the camming means. Similarly, the camming means is held in its forwardmost position until a substantial rearward force is applied thereto. Thus, the exhaust valves are rapid or snap-acting.

As the piston head 39 moves forward, its inward shoulders 43 engage the head 42 of the operating rod and carry the operating rod forward. The rearward inner spring in the camming means is compressed between the stopping force applied by the spring-loaded snap balls and the force applied by the foot 36 of the operating rod. When sufficient force has been applied to the camming means, the camming means snaps forward thereby closing the forward exhaust valve and permitting the rearward exhaust valve to open. Fluid pressure on the rear exhaust valve forces the ball away from the washer and permits flow of fluid through the slots 26 and out the exhaust vent 51. Since fluid can no longer flow through the forward exhaust valve, pressure in the pressure chamber 19 is reversed and the flexible diaphragm 18 moves to the other side and seals the opposite pressure chamber outlet means 24. Fluid under pressure enters the forward fluid port 43 in the operating cylinder and forces the piston head in a rearward direction. As the piston head moves rearward, the head 42 of the operating rod is forced in a rearward direction by contact with the portion of power take-off means 48 integral with the piston head. There is usually a certain time lag before rearward motion of the operating rod begins. This time lag is predeterminable by the length of the partial bore in the piston head and power take-0E means. As the operating rod 35 is forced rearward, the forward spring in the camming means 32 is compressed by the collar 38 on the operating rod. When sufiicient force is applied to the spring-loaded snap balls 54, the camming means snaps to a rearward position, closing the rearward valve and permitting the forward valve to open. The diaphragm 18 again reverses and the cycle repeats.

My reciprocating engine is operable, of course, with substantially any fluid. I prefer to use gas as the fluid in my engine. For example, the fluid input line may be attached to a cylinder containing gas under pressure such as compressed air or the like. Pressure force from the cylinder is translated, by my engine, into a reciprocating motion which may be used to run pumps or other machinery. My engine minimizes the required number of moving parts, and when my preferred embodiment is employed, has the advantage of providing quick, sharp, snap-action exhaust valving. Because of the snap action in my preferred embodiment, there is little or no time lag in transition between forward and rearward motion of the piston head and little or no operating gas pressure is lost through the exhaust vent. In many of the prior art devices, a substantially longer period of transition from forward to rearward motion occurs. Thus, in the prior art devices, there is usually a period when both exhaust valves are open and valuable gas pressure is bled into the atmosphere. My invention has solved that problem.

Various modifications may :be made in my invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof, and it is to he understood that I limit myself only as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for translating fluid pressure into reciprocating motion comprising:

(a) a pressure box divided into two separate pressure chambers by a flexible diaphragm, (1) each separate pressure chamber having scalable outlet means, (2) said outlet means being scalable by said flexible diaphragm when in contact therewith, (3) each separate pressure chamber adapted to communicate through mainfold means with a source of fluid pressure,

(b) exhaust means comprising a pair of alternately closing exhaust valves communicating with an exhaust vent,

(c) a closed operating cylinder having forward and rear portions, (1) a piston disposed in said cylinder, (2) a forward fluid port in said cylinder forward of said piston, (3) a rear fluid port in said cylinder rearward of said piston,

(d) pressure manifold means connecting one pressure chamber outlet means with one exhaust valve and said forward fluid port,

(e) pressure manifold means connecting the other pressure chamber outlet means with the other exhaust valve and said rear fluid port, and

(f) actuating means operatively communicating between said piston and said exhaust means whereby said exhaust valves alternately close corresponding to the relative position of said piston in said cylinder.

2. Apparatus for translating fluid pressure into reciprocating motion comprising:

(a) a pressure box divided into two separate pressure chambers by a flexible diaphragm, (1) each separate pressure chamber having sealable outlet means, (2) said outlet means being sealable by said flexible diaphragm when in contact therewith, (3) each separate pressure chamber adapted to communicate through manifold means with a source of fluid pressure,

(b) exhaust means comprising a pair of alternately closing exhaust valves communicating with an exhaust vent,

(c) a closed operating cylinder having forward and rear portions, (1) a piston disposed in said cylinder, (2) said piston having a head slideably engaging the walls of said cylinder, (3) a forward fluid port in said cylinder forward of said piston, (4) a rear fluid port in said cylinder rearward of said piston,

(d) pressure manifold means connecting one pressure chamber outlet means with one exhaust valve an said forward fluid port,

(e) pressure manifold means connecting the other pressure chamber outlet means with the other exhaust valve and said rear fluid port,

(f) actuating means operatively communicating between said piston and said exhaust valves whereby said exhaust valves alternately close corresponding to the relative position of said piston in said cylinder, and

(g) power take-off means operatively connected to said piston.

3. Apparatus for translating fluid pressure into reciproeating motion comprising:

(a) a pressure box divided into two separate pressure chambers by a flexible diaphragm, each separate pressure chamber having sealable outlet means, said outlet means being sealable by said flexible diaphragm when in contact therewith, each separate pressure chamber adapted to communicate through manifold means with a source of fluid pressure,

(b) exhaust means comprising a pair of alternately closing, normally open exhaust valves comprising ball valves, said valves communicating with an exhaust vent, said valves actuated by cam means,

(c) a closed operating cylinder having forward and rear portions, a piston disposed in said cylinder, said piston having a head slideably engaging the walls of said cylinder, a forward fluid port in said cylinder forward of said piston, a rear fluid port in said cylinder rearward of said piston,

((1) pressure manifold means connecting one pressure chamber outlet means with one exhaust valve and said forward port,

(e) pressure manifold means connecting the other pressure chamber outlet means with the other exhaust valve and said rear fluid port,

(f) actuating means operatively communicating between said piston and said cam means whereby said exhaust valves alternately close corresponding to the relative position of said piston in said cylinder, and

(g) power take-off means operatively connected to said piston.

4. Apparatus for translating fluid pressure into reciprocating motion comprising:

(a) a pressure box divided into two separate pressure chambers by a flexible diaphragm, each separate pressure chamber having sealable outlet means, said outlet means being sealable by said flexible diaphragm when in contact therewith, each separate pressure chamber adapted to communicate through manifold means with .a source of fluid pressure,

(b) exhaust means comprising a pair of alternately closing, normally open exhaust valves comprising ball valves, said valves communicating with an exhaust vent, said valves actuated by cam means,

(c) a closed operating cylinder having forward and rear portions, a piston disposed in said cylinder, said piston having a head slideably engaging the walls of said cylinder, said piston having a rearward, internally disposed shoulder, a forward fluid port in said cyl- 6 inder forward of said piston, a rear fluid port in said cylinder rearward of said piston,

(d) pressure manifold means connecting one pressure chamber outlet means with one exhaust valve and said forward fluid port,

(e) pressure manifold means connecting the other pressure chamber outlet means with the other exhaust valve and said rear fluid port,

(f) actuating rod means having a head on one end, said head engaging with the shoulder on said piston, the other end of said rod means engaging said cam means, whereby said cam means reciprocates corresponding to the relative motion of said piston in said cylinder, and

(g) power take-off means operatively connected to said piston.

5. Apparatus for translating fluid pressure into reciprocating motion comprising:

(a) a pressure box sealably divided into two separate pressure chambers by a flexible diaphragm, each separate pressure chamber having sealable outlet means, said outlet means being sealable by said flexible diaphragm when in contact therewith, each separate pressure chamber adapted to communicate through manifold means with a source of fluid pressure,

(b) exhaust means comprising a pair of alternately closing, normally open exhaust valves comprising ball valves, said valves communicating with an exhaust vent, said valves closingly actuated. by reciprocating cam means,

(c) a closed operating cylinder having forward and rear portions, a piston disposed in said cylinder, said piston having a head slideably engaging the walls of said cylinder and a rearward-facing, centrally disposed recess therein defining an internally disposed shoulder, a forward fluid port in said cylinder forward of said piston, a rear fluid port in said cylinder rearward of said piston,

(d) pressure manifold means connecting one pressure chamber outlet means with one exhaust valve and said forward fluid port,

(e) pressure manifold means connecting the other pressure chamber outlet means with the other exhaust valve and said rear fluid port,

(f) actuating rod means having a head on one end, said head engaging with the shoulder on said piston when said piston moves forwardly, the other end of said rod means engaging said reciprocating cam means whereby said calm means reciprocates corresponding to the relative motion of said piston in said cylinder, and

(g) power take-off means operatively connected to said piston.

6. Apparatus for translating gas pressure into reciprocating motion comprising:

(a) a pressure box sealably divided into two separate pressure chambers by a flexible diaphragm, each separate pressure chamber having sealable outlet means, said outlet means being sealable by said flexible diaphragm when in contact therewith, each separate pressure chamber adapted to communicate through manifold means with a source of gas pressure,

(b) exhaust means comprising a pair of alternately closing, normally open exhaust valves comprising ball valves, said valves communicating with an exhaust vent, said valves closingly actuated by reciprocating cam means, said cam means restrained at either end of its stroke by spring-loaded friction-holding means,

(0) a closed operating cylinder having forward and rear portions, a piston disposed in said cylinder, said piston having a head slideably engaging the interior walls of said cylinder and defining a rearward internally-disposed shoulder, a forward gas port in said cylinder, forward of said piston, a rear gas port in said cylinder rearward of said piston,

((1) pressure manifold means connecting one pressure chamber outlet means with one exhaust valve and said forward gas port,

(e) pressure manifold means connecting the other pressure chamber outlet means with the other exhaust valve and said rear gas port,

(f) actuating rod means having a head on one end, said head engaging with the shoulder on said piston when said piston moves forwardly, the other end of said rod means engaging said reciprocating cam means whereby said cam means reciprocates corresponding to the relative motion of said piston in said cylinder, and

(g) power take-off means operatively connected to said piston.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS MARTIN P. SCHWADRON, Primary Examiner.

P. E. MASLOUSKY, Assistant Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS FOR TRANSLATING FLUID PRESSURE INTO RECIPROCATING MOTION COMPRISING: (A) A PRESSURE BOX DIVIDED INOT TWO SEPARATE PRESSURE CHAMBER BY A FLEXIBLE DIAPHRAGM, (1) EACH SEPARATE PRESSURE CHAMBER HAVING SEALABLE OUTLET MEANS, (2) SAID OUTLET MEANS BEING SEALABLE BY SAID FLEXIBLE DIAPHRAGM WHEN IN CONTACT THEREWITH, (3) EACH SEPARATE PRESSURE CHAMBER ADAPTED TO COMMUNICATE THROUGH MAINFOLD MEANS WITH A SOURCE OF FLUID PRESSURE, (B) EXHAUST MEANS COMPRISING A PAIR OF ALTERNATELY CLOSING EXHAUST VALVES COMMUNICATING WITH AN EXHAUST VENT, (C) A CLOSED OPERATING CYLINDER HAVING FORWARD AND REAR PORTIONS, (1) A PISTON DISPOSED IN SAID CYLINDER, (2) A FORWARD FLUID PORT IN SAID CYLINDER FORWARD OF SAID PISTON, (3) A REAR FLUID PORT IN SAID CYLINDER REARWARD OF SAID PISTON, (D) PRESSURE MANIFOLD MEANS CONNECTING ONE PRESSURE CHAMBER OUTLET MEANS WITH ONE EXHAUST VALVE AND SAID FORWARD FLUID PORT, (E) PRESSURE MANIFOLD MEANS CONNECTING THE OTHER PRESSURE CHAMBER OUTLET MEANS WITH THE OTHER EXHAUST VALVE AND SAID REAR FLUID PORT, AND (F) ACTUATING MEANS OPERATIVELY COMMUNICATING BETWEEN SAID PISTON AND SAID EXHAUST MEANS WHEREBY SAID EXHAUST VALVES ALTERNATELY CLOSE CORRESPONDING TO THE RELATIVE POSITION OF SAID PISTON IN SAID CYLINDER 